FanPost

Rewriting Lucha Underground Volume 2: Night of the Hunter


lucha-underground-cuerno-deer-head.0.jpg

Season 2 of Lucha Underground has come to an end. Feedback here on Cageside has been quite polarizing: some of us loved it, and some of us felt it couldn’t live up to the expectations of season 1. I can’t speak for everyone, but I really enjoyed this season. However, no product is ever perfect and I was baffled by a few of the creative decisions (especially when it came to the season finale). While it did not ruin the season for me in any way, I felt there were some major missed opportunities which I can’t help but feel contributed to the serious decline in viewership (although the season finale saw an upswing in viewers). While season 3 is in the bag, I still wonder how long the Temple will remain in operation if viewers continue to tune out. If the Temple’s doors do indeed close forever, we can only hope that they provide us with the most entertaining product possible. That is why I have created this series dedicated to re-writing seasons 2 and 3: to correct creative gaffes and capitalize on missed opportunities. Today’s edition will focus on a luchador with an adeptness for hunting who has the potential to be a top heel but has had far too many stumbles along the way. Of course, I’m talking about King Cuerno.

While Pentagon Jr.’s course in season 2 remained mostly the same albeit with different results, almost the entire second half of season 2 for King Cuerno will be rewritten. The first half starts as normal, with Cuerno becoming employed by Catrina to win the Gift of the Gods title from Fenix before ultimately losing it back in the ladder match. While Cuerno came up short in this feud, it did a great job of establishing him as a major player and allowed him to display his abilities as an actor while further fleshing out his character. It will also continue his season arc with Catrina and Mil Muertes. After losing the title to Fenix, Cuerno was eliminated almost immediately in Aztec Warfare by Rey Mysterio. This time around, Cuerno lasts much longer and gets an elimination or two before being eliminated by Mysterio. However, this will have occurred before Matanza’s entrance. This will prevent Cuerno from becoming an afterthought mid-season. He still faces Siniestro de la Muerte for an Aztec Medallion, but rather than lose in about 90 seconds, he wins. I know Siniestro losing his first match after ripping out his partners’ hearts seems odd, but seeing as he was never pushed beyond the Gift of the Gods scene and does not have nearly the upside Cuerno has, this won’t be a major issue. After the match, Mil Muertes viciously attacks him (obviously he didn’t take too kindly to Cuerno’s boast that he would hang his carcass in his trophy room and is probably still upset about his inability to destroy Fenix). Cuerno abducts the casket after Graver Consequences as usual and proudly displays Mil in his trophy room.

mqdefault.0.jpg

You know, the usual. Cuerno heads into the Gift of the Gods match but is unsuccessful as Cage wins it outright (rather than that nonsense with Chavo). However, he does not take the pin either so as to maintain momentum.

Fast-forward to Six to Survive, which still takes place as normal. Mil still costs Cuerno the match, but Cuerno is eliminated third rather than first. It is after Six to Survive where things really begin to change. Dario announces a new round of Aztec Medallion matches. However, the Gift of the Gods match itself won’t be held at Ultima Lucha Dos, because the winner will have to defend it instead. You know, to make sure the "best luchador" wins and can therefore put on the best championship match. Call it a "unique opportunity". Both Cuerno and Mil win medallions heading into the Gift of the Gods match, with Cuerno observing Mil’s match and Mil attempting to attack Cuerno after his. Mil makes a beeline for Cuerno during the seven-way match and spends a good amount brutalizing him. In the end, however, Cuerno steals a victory by pinning Mil (similar to their match before Ultima Lucha Dos) and wins Gift of the Gods for a second time. Catrina demands Mil be Cuerno’s opponent at Ultima Lucha Dos for the Gift of the Gods. Dario agrees when Catrina proposes it be a death match. The two have an insane match (I'd say a bit more competitive to the one we got) with Mil ultimately coming out on top as the new Gift of the Gods champion. This sets up the season 3 feud between Mil and Pentagon while Cuerno looks strong in defeat. Season 2 may end with a loss for Cuerno, but he’s headed for bigger and better things next season.

Season 3 begins for Cuerno more focused and even more vicious. He absolutely brutalizes Daga in his return match (let’s say episode 2) and resurrects the trend of placing his prized buck’s head on his opponents. Before this, Cuerno makes an appearance in the season premiere observing Pentagon’s match with Johnny Mundo from his normal vantage point. This is another trend for Cuerno, as he observes every single one of Pentagon’s title defenses in preparation for a potential title match. In the meantime, Cuerno enters a feud with The Mack, who is beginning his own ascent through the ranks. Cuerno defeats The Mack in a match and places the buck’s head on his fallen opponent. Mack is enraged and beats down Cuerno post-match. Cuerno picks up another win over Argenis and proceeds to attack Mack after his match with Jack Evans. The two then take part in a triple-threat match with Cage where the winner enters a triple-threat number 1 contender’s match. Mack is able to pin Cage and earn a spot in the number 1 contender’s match, but Cuerno takes him out backstage the next week. Dario refuses to put Cuerno in as his replacement since he did not win the match (the spot is filled by Mil Muertes) and instead books a No DQ match between the two. Cuerno defeats Mack in a hard-fought match to end the feud. This defeat will continue to fuel the Mack during his own ascent to the Gift of the Gods Championship while giving Cuerno momentum for his next program. While this is going on, Cuerno continues to observe Pentagon during his title matches.

king-cuerno-perched-lucha-underground.0.png

Aztec Warfare is announced and Cuerno enters in at number 10. He makes it to the final 2, eliminating Prince Puma, Aerostar, and Mack. Cuerno is able to defeat Pentagon and become champion by not only taking advantage of the champion’s pre-existing injuries, but by having a counter for nearly every one of his moves. Cuerno stands tall over Pentagon, finally the king of the Lucha Underground jungle.

Cuerno’s first title defense is a rematch with Pentagon. Cuerno has a much tougher battle as Pentagon has reversals for many of Cuerno’s moves. But in the end, Cuerno is able to retain when Johnny Mundo interferes as payback for Pentagon breaking his arm. Cuerno does not rest on his laurels, however, as he begins to target and attack potential threats to his title, always staying one step ahead. One potential threat is old rival Drago, who he defeats in a non-title match after attacking him following a win. Cuerno follows this up with successful title defenses against Ivelisse and Rey Mysterio, both of whom he attacked and is able to defeat because of their injuries. After defeating Mysterio, he continues to assault the legend until El Dragon Azteca Jr. (who previously won a number one contender’s fatal-four way) intervenes. The course is set for Ultima Lucha Tres, with Cuerno defending the title against Dragon Azteca. After a great back-and-forth match, El Dragon Azteca Jr. is able to overcome and become the new champion. As season 3 comes to an end, Cuerno vows to hunt the dragon and never stop until his head is in his trophy room and he is Lucha Underground Champion once again.

This booking will accomplish the following:

  • Keep King Cuerno’s momentum going heading out of season 2 into season 3
  • Establish Cuerno as a top heel in season 3
  • Help build other stars such as The Mack and El Dragon Azteca Jr.

What do you think? Would you have preferred this version of events for seasons 2 and 3? Sound off in the comments below and let me know!

Author's Note:

I am considering rewriting other character arcs as well but do not have any concrete plans at this time. If there are any character arcs you would like to see rewritten, please let me know in the comments below!

The FanPosts are solely the subjective opinions of Cageside Seats readers and do not necessarily reflect the views of Cageside Seats editors or staff.